Amanda Jefferies-Zeitler
Read Amanda’s full profile below
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a small town called Cincinnati, Ohio.
Who was your favorite teacher, and why?
I had three favorite teachers in high school. All three were strict educators and intelligent African American women. All three taught advance placement classes: Mrs. Jensen taught English; Ms. Johnson taught Biology; Ms. Barnes taught Math. Each of them encouraged me to go beyond what I thought I could do. They pushed me to do better and to be better.
What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM/Healthcare?
I did not start out wanting to be in patient care. My mother worked for the USEPA, and I was introduced to some of the researchers at the facility. I wanted to be a researcher and work for the NIH or the CDC. On my way to getting my education, I fell into patient care to pay the bills and found that I liked it. I decided to make my job my career. Now my nursing degree is one of my most prized possessions.
What do you do in your current role/career?
I work for a manufacturer of medical devices as an educator on the device. It requires that I go into different hospitals and train nurses how to use the device for different procedures as well as help them troubleshoot when issues arise.
What are some of the innovations in science that you are most excited about?
What excites me most about what is happening in science and medicine are the advances they are making in treating and curing cancer and other diseases with stem cell and CAR-T therapies. It is an exciting time to be in this area of research and medicine.
What’s next for you?/What would you like to do when you “grow up’? (retire, etc.)/ what is something you hope to accomplish in the future?
I love animals. When I retire, I hope to be able to start a rescue for stray/senior dogs.
Current book/book you love?
I love reading, and I am currently juggling two books Happiness Falls by Angie Kim and The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.
Personal style/fashion tip?
My fashion tip is to always wear something you feel comfortable in.